Apparatus for wiping and cleaning soiled surfaces

The subject of the invention is a device for wiping and cleaning dirty surfaces.

A device for wiping and cleaning soiled surfaces with a support body for the wiping element is known.

DE 30 05 558 discloses a cleaning device in which a support for a liquid container and a heating plate for heating the wiping lining are arranged at the lower end of a shaft. The liquid reservoir is movably mounted on the support such that pressing on the reservoir opens the hole and wets the wiping lining beneath it. In this case, an excess of the cleaning fluid may be applied, which in the case of moisture-sensitive wooden surfaces may reduce their utility value and deteriorate their appearance. The cleaning device also has a very complex structure and requires a mains connection for the energy supply of the heating plate resistors installed in the device.

The aim of the invention is to simplify the above-described type of device for wiping and cleaning dirty surfaces and to improve it so that the removal of dirt particles adhering to the surface to be cleaned is easier and more effective than before, and the surface is not damaged by excessive wetting.

Moreover, from the patent specification GB 228890 a washer for cleaning floors is known, and a cleaning liquid is placed in a tank above the washer.

From US patent 1375560 a brush is known which has a hollow body which forms a reservoir for the cleaning liquid.

The device for wiping and cleaning soiled surfaces with a support body for the wiping element according to the invention is characterized in that the support body is a latent heat accumulator.

The heat exchanger has a temperature sensor.

The sensor is made of plastic containing a heat-sensitive material.

The plastic material forms a jacket surrounding at least partially the heat storage.

The T-shirt is in the form of a cleaning fluid container.

The part of the tank wall, forming the heat conduction zone, is the wiping element.

The wall in the area of ​​the heat conduction zone has a zone of less thickness.

The zone is stiffened with stiffening ribs.

The carrying body is made of a polymer material.

The support body is essentially in the shape of a flat cuboid.

The support body has a handle on the top surface.

The handle is in the form of a shank and is connected approximately to the center of the upper surface by a cross-joint.

The wiping element is in the form of a non-woven cloth or a knitted fabric or a crochet face.

The wiping element is a disposable cloth.

The wiping element is fastened to the support body by means of a zipper or by means of slip pockets.

The tank has at least one opening in the bottom surface.

The opening has a means for closing the opening.

The device comprises means for dispensing the amount of cleaning fluid dispensed through the opening.

There is a water distributor between the opening and the wiping element.

The element has a pump.

The pump has a displacement element in the form of a piston.

The pump has a displacement element which is an elastically deformable part of the tank wall.

The water distributor consists of a flexible plate.

The water distributor is provided with water distribution channels.

In the device according to the invention, the supporting body for the wiping element is in the form of a latent heat accumulator. The invention is based on the assumption that the application of heat facilitates the removal of dirt particles. The heat is supplied through the wiping element, which as a result of being heated by the heat accumulator has a higher temperature than the dirty surface. In this way, for example, wax streaks from furniture or glass surfaces can be removed very gently and without applying much pressure. Since the energy source is hidden in and moved with the cleaning element, no mains power is required. The heat may be supplied to the dirty surface during wiping in a manner that is dosed and adapted to the time the device remains on the surface. Hot water, usually carried in a pail to remove adhering contaminants, is no longer needed thanks to the latent heat accumulator. The cleaning device is therefore particularly suitable for cleaning moisture-sensitive surfaces and can be used both in the household and on an industrial scale. The device according to the invention can have different dimensions and can be used to clean different surfaces, such as, for example, window surfaces, furniture surfaces or floors.

The heat exchanger may have a sensor for indicating the temperature. When the temperature drops below the limit value, the user is informed that the heat storage tank must be reheated and, if necessary, refilled with hot water. The sensor may be a plastic material containing a heat sensitive material. When the temperature drops below the minimum value, it changes color, which makes the need for heating especially noticeable. The plastic material from which the sensor is made and which contains the heat-sensitive material may simultaneously form a jacket surrounding at least partially the heat storage. The sleeve can also be in the form of a container for a cleaning fluid, for example heated water.

The device can therefore be of a very simple structure. Heated water is constantly available in the household. Preferably, the wiping element is a part of the wall of the tank, forming the heat conduction zone. Since the wall of the tank is a heat insulator and only one part of it conducts heat, the heat source, which is the heat accumulator, is effectively used.

Preferably, the carrying body is made of a polymer material, which allows for a significant reduction in the production costs of the device thanks to the injection technique. Preferably, the wall has a zone of less thickness in the area of ​​the heat conducting zone. It can also be stiffened with stiffening ribs so that the pressure transmitted to the surface to be cleaned is even.

The support body is preferably substantially rectangular in shape. With a relatively low weight, this allows the heat obtained to be optimally transferred to the wiping element. For ease of handling, a handle, for example a handle or a shaft, can be arranged on the upper surface of the carrying body. Particularly in the case of a floor cleaning device, it has proven advantageous if the handle is connected approximately to the center of the upper surface by means of a cross-joint. This design allows for convenient cleaning, even in confined spaces and in corners.

It has also proved advantageous if the wiping element is in the form of a removable non-woven cloth, a knitted or crochet surface structure. Preferably, a disposable wipe is used. The wiping element can be attached to the carrier body by means of a zipper or slip pockets.

If the cleaning fluid is used as the heat reservoir, it has proven advantageous if the reservoir has at least one opening through which the cleaning fluid can escape in order to moisten the wiping element. It has proved advantageous in this solution if the opening is closed when necessary. This allows the desired amount of cleaning fluid to be dispensed and thus a better cleaning result.

A further simplification of the operation of the device occurs when the amount of cleaning fluid emerging from the opening is dispensed.

The device is structurally much simpler if the above-mentioned opening is located in the bottom of the tank. A further improvement can be achieved when a water distributor is arranged between the opening and the wiping element. This improves even wetting of the wiping element.

The means for dispensing the cleaning fluid may be in the form of a pump. The displacement element therein may be a piston or, alternatively, an elastically deformable portion of the reservoir wall. Especially in the case of a structure in which the tank is made of plastic, its manufacture can be greatly simplified by using the blow molding technique.

PL 202 244 B1

In order to ensure a uniform pressure of the wiping element against the surface to be cleaned, e.g. a floor covering, having some unevenness, it has proven advantageous if the water distributor consists of a flexible plate, e.g. a closed-cell foam plate. It may be provided with water distribution channels to ensure even wetting of the wiping element in all its areas.

The wiping element can be made of various materials. The use of a crochet or knitted textile fabric has proven advantageous. The wiping element may be a reusable or disposable removable wipe. Preferably, the wipe cloth is attached to the carrier body by means of a zipper or slip pockets, which allows it to be easily removed from the carrier body and cleaned.

The subject of the invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing in which fig. 1 shows the first embodiment in a side view, fig. 2 - a second embodiment in perspective view, fig. 3 - a supporting body in the shape of a flat cuboid, fig. 4 - a device in which the carrier body is in the form of a cleaning fluid reservoir, in cross section, and fig. 5 - a water distributor arranged on the carrier body of fig. 4, in a top view.

1 shows an embodiment of the invention which has proved particularly successful in a household. A carrying body 1 in the form of a reservoir is formed on the knob-shaped handle 2. The tank can be filled through the opening 11 with heated water. The wall portion 8 is in the form of a heat conduction zone 8. The wiping element 3 is fastened to the support body 1 by means of a zipper 7. The cleaning process is assisted by the supply of heat which from the heat accumulator 1 passes through the heat conduction zone 8 to the wiping element 3 and thus to the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning element shown in Fig. 1 can be made at low cost by means of an injection molding technique, and its versatility makes it particularly useful in the household. Depending on the intended use, the wiping element 3 can take various forms, for example a dry-wipe made of a microfiber cloth or a moistened sponge.

A preferred embodiment in the form of a flat wiping and cleaning device for floors is shown in Fig. 2. The support body 1 has the shape of a flat cuboid and serves as a latent heat reservoir, filled with heated water through an opening 11. On the upper surface of the rectangular support body by means of a joint 6 it is mounted on the principle of a cross joint by the shaft 2. The wiping cloth 3 surrounds the bottom and the wider sides of the cuboid and is attached to the support body 1 by means of slip pockets 4. The center of gravity of the cleaning device is very low, and the universal joint facilitates handling even with built-in furniture with a tight cleaning space. As the wiping lining 3 extends beyond the base surfaces 5 of the cuboid, there is no risk of damaging the furniture when wiped. The support body 1 can, for example, be manufactured in the form of a blow molded body made of a polymeric material, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of the cleaning device. The wiping element 3 can have a different shape and can be matched to the surface of the floor to be cleaned. The cleaning device is suitable for both dry cleaning and wet cleaning, and the wiping lining can be of various forms. The wiping lining 3 can be made of non-woven fabric, polyurethane sponge or viscose. Also suitable are pre-wetted sponge cloths or knitted or woven fabrics as well as knitted fabrics.

Preferably, the side of the rectangular container facing the surface to be cleaned is the heat conduction zone 8. This is shown schematically in the section in Fig. 3. The heat conduction zone 8 is formed in such a way that the wall of the container on the side of the washing surface is thin. The reinforcing ribs 9 ensure that the pressure force can be transferred to the entire surface of the wash. The wall of the tank is provided with insulation 10, thanks to which the stored heat is efficiently used for the cleaning process. The carrier body 1 shown in FIG. 2 can also be manufactured inexpensively by means of an injection molding technique. However, the heat conduction zone 8 can also be created in other ways, for example by using a material with a higher heat conductivity coefficient. As the carrier body 1 in Fig. 2 it is a reservoir for heated water, its weight increases the pressing force of the washing lining to the surface of the cleaned floor. This is advantageous in particular in the case of cursory washing of floors, since light soiling can be removed with just a few movements due to the self-weight of the load-bearing body.

PL 202 244 B1

4 shows a device for wiping and cleaning soiled surfaces, in which the carrier body 1 is in the form of a rectangular container for cleaning fluid. In order to refill the used cleaning liquid, the tank is equipped with a filler neck closed with a plug.

In the central area there is an element 16 by means of which an opening 12 can be opened if necessary, which is located in the central area of ​​the bottom surface, so that in this area the cleaning fluid 15 can flow downwards. The elements 16 consist of a button 16, supported by a compression spring, connected to a pin 18, which has a valve 19 at its lower end. In the resting state, the valve 19 is pressed downwards by the force of a pressure spring 17 against the valve seat 20. Thus, the opening 12 is closed. If pressure is applied to the button 16, the tap 19 is moved downwards against the force of the compression spring 17, opening the opening 12 when the button 16 is actuated. This allows the cleaning fluid 15 to flow downwards under the action of gravity.

After the cleaning fluid 15 exits the opening 12, it passes into a water distributor 13 made of a flexible foam with closed pores, which is provided on its upper surface with water distribution channels 14, and is cut perpendicular to them by through holes 21. are substantially evenly distributed over the entire surface of the distributor 13. When the button 16 is actuated, the fluid 15 coming out of the opening 12 is therefore evenly distributed over the entire surface of the wiping element 3. This element can be in the form of a disposable cloth which is removed from the water distributor when dirty and replaced with a new one. This solution has proved to be particularly advantageous with regard to the cleaning of slightly soiled surfaces.

The water distributor of the above-described type has, thanks to its structure of closed-pore foam, obtained, for example, by the use of a closed-pore foamed, cross-linked soft polyethylene sponge with a density of 30 to 120 kg / m3³preferably from 60 to 90 kg / m3³, good thermal insulation properties. In this way, unnecessary loss of water and heat during cleaning is avoided, and a better cleaning effect is obtained by the targeted application of heat and water to the surface to be cleaned by means of a cleaning fluid supplied as required. If the cleaning does not require the supply of heat and moisture, then the device can be used in a dry state, saving heat and moisture, and if necessary, heat and moisture can be applied to the cleaned surface with warm water. As the water and heat remain on the surface to be cleaned during the progressive cleaning process, the cleaning cloth dries up progressively more and more, which increases its thermal insulation effect, thus automatically saving heat and moisture, only supplied in limited amounts. This is very advantageous especially when it comes to cleaning large, lightly soiled surfaces.